Women to Watch: Former banker finds true calling at Church Health Center

Jennie Robbins, director of the MEMPHIS Plan for Church Health Center, sees her career as an opportunity to give back to the community while putting her banking background to work.

Jennie Robbins started her career in the nonprofit sector's direct opposite.

"I was a banker in commercial lending," said Robbins, who came to Memphis from her native New Orleans. "When I moved here, I knew my boyfriend at the time, who's now my husband, and that was it. I thought, 'How do I engage in Memphis? How do I find out what's going on, who's who and what's what?' So I joined the Junior League of Memphis."

Through the Junior League, Robbins not only met new people, but also new experiences. The group introduced her to a city full of volunteer opportunities, and Robbins jumped into the mix. One of the first organizations she volunteered to serve was the Church Health Center.

"I became immediately familiar with it," she said, "but I didn't know nearly the depth or the scope of services the Church Health Center provides."

Robbins began talking to Ann Langston, Church Health Center director and a former Junior League president, about what it meant to work in a nonprofit setting.

After eight years in banking, she knew she'd found her true calling.

"I loved being a banker," Robbins said. "I had a lot of fun, met great folks and had great times, but this has been more of a vocation than a career move."

Now, as director of the MEMPHIS Plan, the Church Health Center's employer-sponsored health care plan for small businesses and the self-employed, Robbins gets to give back to the community full time.

"The MEMPHIS Plan is the revenue-generating portion of the Church Health Center," she said. "It's a great opportunity for me to run a small business in a not-for-profit culture, always balancing what's right for the MEMPHIS Plan as a business, what's right for our mission and what's right for the person in front of us."

Since she joined the organization six years ago, Robbins' life has changed in other ways. She's now a mother to 4-year-old Whitney and busier than she's ever been.

"It's a constant juggle to have a career and have friends and family life and be a good mom, too," she said. "But people do it every day, and you manage through it and figure out the want-to's, have-to's and should-do's. Some days are easier than others."

Tell me how the MEMPHIS plan came about, whom it helps and why it's important to the Memphis community.

By relying on donated services from volunteer doctors and area hospitals and laboratories, the MEMPHIS Plan offers uninsured people in lower-wage jobs access to quality, affordable health care. The MEMPHIS Plan allowed (Church Health Center) to move beyond our own brick-and-mortar limitations and serve more people in need. And none of it would be possible without hundreds of medical providers who volunteer to see MEMPHIS Plan patients in their own offices, area hospitals and labs that donate their exam rooms and services, and the many employers who sponsor the plan for their employees. The MEMPHIS Plan, as it is with the entire Church Health Center, is a culmination of everyone doing their part. We could not operate without the kindness, generosity and support of the entire medical community in the area.

What's the best part of your day-to-day job?

I know that I do something every day that can make a difference, big or small, in someone's life. From the participant on the MEMPHIS Plan going to a doctor, the employer finally able to provide health care for their employees, our volunteers that want to serve their community to our operations here, the MEMPHIS Plan provides a service and support that helps all of those groups and more.

What's the biggest challenge you face in your role?

Currently, the health care reform changes are top of mind. Today's health care landscape is ever-changing, but the Church Health Center will always work to fill the gap to provide care to the population that does not have access to certain health services. But what adjustments the MEMPHIS Plan may have to make to fill those needs are still a bit unclear.

What do you like best about living in Memphis?

Memphis is a great town. There are so many things to do for people of all ages, and so family-friendly. Going to an afternoon baseball game and then going to see the Peabody ducks march is a great way to spend the day!

How do you spend your spare time?

I have an almost-5-year-old — what's spare time? I love spending time with friends and family, SEC football games, reading by a swimming pool (or beach), laughing with my daughter and seeing things through her eyes.

What would others be surprised to learn about you?

Maybe that I wish I had gone to law school. Having a courtroom Perry Mason moment would have been nice. I love to negotiate and argue points.

If you could spend a day walking in someone else's shoes, whose would they be, and why?

There are so many women I admire and would like to know. Laura Bush always comes to mind. She is an incredible lady and has always stayed true to her passions for early childhood development and literacy programs. She set a beautiful example for parents after the 9/11 attack and always maintained grace and dignity during trying times throughout her life.

Locally, I would love to see how Sally Pace, Junior League of Memphis president, does it all. She and I have served together on several not-for-profit boards and community projects, and she continues to amaze me with her ability and dedication for community improvement.